Life-raft.



A. THOMPSON. LIFE MFT.

APPLICATION FILED APR.14, 1914.-

Patented July 28,1914.

ZBHBETS-SHEET 1.

fail",

THE NORRIS FETRS CO,I PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTONv D.

A. THOMPSON.`

LIFE RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED APR.14, 1914.

Patented July 28, 1914.

T A E f E H s D 4 N j H 5 s 'Y 2 Witwen@ h THE NURRIS PETERS ("0., PHUTO-LITHQpWASHIINGTON. D.

ALBERT THOMPSON, 01E PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.,

LIFE-RAFT.

. Specification of Letters Patent. i

Application led April 14, 1914. Serial No. 831,811.

To all whom it may concern Be known that I, ALBERT THOMPSON, a

` citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Life- `Rafts, which invention is fully set forth in the followingJ specification. l

The present invention is an improvement in life rafts, particularly of the reversible and collapsible type shown in the patent to Ernest R. Greene, No. 1,089,338, dated ltiarch 8, 19111.l 1n that patent there is disclosed valve mechanism for automatically venting the water from the raft, in either of its positions, but in order to insure the successful venting of the water with the device illustrated in the drawings of that patent, it is necessary to proportion the sizeof the flotative bodies with respect to the opening or vent in the raft through which the water flows, and to make these bodies of such size that the buoyancy of the body in the raft will overcome the weight of thewater in the raftand the suction of the water as it passes through theopening or vent. This necessitates theV employment of iiotative bodiesof relatively large size.` n

The objects of the present invention are to remove the necessity for proportioning the size ofthe ilotative bodies withk respect to that of the opening or vent,"and to provide a device of this character in which flotative bodies of practically any size maybe employed with openings or vents of practically any size, so long as the former will ob'- turate the latter; to` largely reduce the size of liotative bodies employed to insure posi tive and `certain operation of the device to automatically empty the raft; and to effect these results byy the employment kof a simple and compact device that maybe readily installed. i

One embodiment of the inventiveidea for securing these results kcomprises mechanism (here shown as lever mechanism) for engaging and positively holding the flotative-body in the raft away from its opening or vent, similar mechanism being associated with the other iiotative body but being held out of en gagement therewith.

The invention will be better understood by reference yto the. accompanying drawings, illustrating" one expression of the inventive idea, and whereini Figure 1 isa longitudinal section through a reversible raft, showing a plurality of venting devices; Fig. 2 is ar transverse section on the line 2-2 of F ig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe casing of one of the vent- I `ing devices; Fig. a is a vertical section through one of 'the venting devices; Fig. 5

is a horizontal section on the line 5-5, Fig.

11;' and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the plate onwhich the valve seats are provided, and associatedmechanism.

Referring' to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, any suitable reversible life raft may be employed, such as thatdisclosed in the Greene patent above mentioned. If desired, two cylindrical buoyant members 7-7 may be used, the same'being mountedk on'any suitable framework 8, and a suitablewate'rproof hull or body portion 9 is suspended from the structure in any desired manner. This hull or lbody portion is open only at its top, and the bottom vof ysaid hull has secured thereto yin any desired manner a body of buoyant material, such as a wooden plate 10 andcork bodies 11 and 12. This wooden plate may be about one inch in thickness and each cork body may be three inches in preferably at least three venting devices 15 are employed.v l As these devices are identical, a description of'onewill suffice.

Referringl particularly to Fig. l1, 16 indicates any suitable flotative body, preferably Patented July 2s, 1914.

pf rubber and sphericalin form,.contained in a casing 17, and 18 is an identical'iiota-y f tive body containedin an identical casing 19, these casings being preferably securedk together and to plate 10` by bolts 20 or 4other i suitable means. A` plate 21 is preferably n held` between these casings in' any desiredV manner, 4and this plate is 'provided with a vent or opening 22l and seats 23 and 24;' for flotative bodies 16 and 18, respectively.

Means are provided for engaging and positively holding the flotative body 16 in the raft away from its seat and, inasmuch V as either flota-tive body 16 or 18 may chance i to be the one in the raft, preferably identithe levers associated with the tlotative body e in the raft engage and support the saine,

as shown in Fig. 4;, and the outer ends of these levers are weighted in any suitableorl desired manner. `As herein shown, a single circular weight 27 bears upon the ends of these levers, each of the latter pro jecting into recesses 28 in said weight, which recesses arev preferably conical in' shape. The weight 27 is preferably guidedA in its movements in the casing 17, as by the provision of recesses 29 in the outer face of said weight engaging ribs 30 on the casing `17. The connections between the casing 17, weight 27 and levers 25k are such as to prevent binding between the parts and t0 insure certainty in the movement of the levers 25 to hold the flotative body 16 away from its seat, so that the water in the raft, which passes freely through perforations- 31 in the casing17, can also4 freely pass through the opening or vent 22. Until the level of the water in the raf-t. and that of the supporting body ofwater are equalized, or until the raft is emptied, thelower flo` t-ative body 18 will be held away from its seat 24. When the levels are equalized or when the raft is emptied, the pressureof the water outside of the raft will force the body 18 intointimate engagement with seat 241- and hold it there untill the level of the water in the raft is again higher than that of the supporting surface. In practice, the buoyancy of the bottom of the hull is such, that after the levels are equalized (and if the weight of the passengers is removedfor example, if they sit Von the framework 8), the bottom ofthe hullr will rise under the weight of the water, thus maintaining. the level in the raft above that of the supporting surface until the-raft isieniptied.

TheV mechanism on vboth. sides of plate 21 is, preferably, identical and, accordingly.,4

asshown in Fig. 4,.ring.27 acts to hold? the levers 25 out of engagement with flotative body 18. To ,further`- prevent levers 25 from interfering with body 18, the inner end of each of these levers engages one face; provided on plate ridge constitutes'` seat. 24. A. ridge 32r` is provided on` the. other face of. plate 21,. and corresponds to i 32 (Fig. 1) ofV a ridge' 21, the other face of which ridge 32" luOs 26conres oond to lugs 2.6v

recesses 29 with recesses 29, ribs. 30 with ribs30, and perforations 31 with perfora-` tions 31.'

Preferably the perforations 31. are so arranged in the casing 1.7 that, when the flotative body 16 is supported'in: the. posit-ion iengage the body 16 below its center, thus assistingin maintaining the ball in the po- -sition indicated. In this posit-ion the wa- ,ter freely flows through perforations 31, lopening or vent 22 and perforations 31.

It is clear that, if the position of the iparts shown in Fig. f1 were reversed, the :same results wouldz be attained.

V-Vhile, for the purpose of illustration, one

expression of the inventive idea has been shown and` described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction shown, but that various embodiments may be had within the limit-s ofthe appended claims. lt is to be further understoodl that the valve mechanism describedk may be used forv other purposes than that herein disclosed.

What 'isv claimed is 1. A reversible life raft. provided with a vent, tivoiiotative bodies one on either side ofl said vent,.means limiting the movement ofsaid" bodies with respect to said vent, and means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent.

2. A. reversible life raft provided with a vent, two liotative bodies one on either side of. said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodieswithf respect to said vent, and pivoted means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent.

3. A. reversiblev life raft provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side ofsaid vent, means limiting the movement of said. bodies with respect to said vent, and weight-ed' means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent.

4e.. A reversible life raft'piovided with a vent, two liotative bodies one on either side of. saidA4 vent, means limiting the movement ofL said bodies with respect to said vent, and.v lever mechanism engaging and holding the upperibody away from said vent. 1 5. rreversible life raft provided with a vent, two flotativebodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of saidzbodies with respect to said vent, and

weightedy lever4 mechanism engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent. 6. A` reversible life raft provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side `ot .said vent, means limiting the movement .of said bodies with. respect to said vent, a

plurality of levers engaging and holding ftlie'upper body away from said vent, and a ,single weight bearingon said levers.

7.4 A reversible lifeV raft provided with a .vent, two flotativer bodies one on either sido .of said vent, a casing for each flotative body, .a plurality of levers engaging and holding the. upperbody away from said vent, and a singleweight bearing on said levers and'pro- Avided with guide means engaging the walls ,of its casing.:

shown in Fig.l 4, the moving water. will 8. A reversible life raft provided with a `upper body away ant bottom provided vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical means associated with the other fiotative body but being held out of engagement therewith..

9. A reversible life raft provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, pivoted means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical means associated with the other otative body but held outv of engagement therewith.

10. A reversible life raft provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on. either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, weighted means engaging and holding the from said vent, and identical means associated with the other flotative body but held out of engagement therewith.

11. A reversible life raft' provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, lever mechanism engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical lever mechanism associated with the other iotative body but held out of engagement therewith.

12. A reversible life raft provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, a plurality of levers engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, a weight bearing o-n said levers, similar lever mechanism associated with the other lietative body, and a similar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body.

, 13. A. reversible life raft provided with a vent, two iiotative bodies one on either side of said vent, a casing for each body provided with guiding means, a plurality of levers en- Waving the upper flotative body,-

a weight said levers and engaging said. guiding means, a plurality of similarl levers associated with the lower flotative body, and a similar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body, said weight engaging the guiding means in its casing.

14. A reversible life raft having a buoyant bottom provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical means associated with the other iiotative body but being held out of engagement therewith.

15. A reversible life raft ,having a buoywith a vent, two flotae a: bearing on Vtive bodiesv one on either side of said vent,

means limitingzthe movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, pivoted means engagmg and holdingthe upper body away from said vent, and-identical means associated with the other fiotative body but held out of engagement therewith. i

16. A reversible life'raft having a buoyant bottom provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, weighted means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical means associated with the other iotative body but held out of engagement therewith.

17. A reversible life raft having a buoyant bottomprovided with a vent, two fiotative bodies one on eitherside of said vent, means `limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, lever mec ianism engaging and holding` the miner oodv away from said vent, andy 'dentical lever mechanism associatedv with the other flotative body but held out of` engagement therewith.

18. A reversible life raft having a buoyant bottom provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side ofy said vent,

means limiting' the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, a plurality of levers engaging and holding the upper bodv away from said vent, a weight bearing on said levers, similar lever mechanism associated with the other flotative bopdy, and a similar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body. f

19. A reversible life raft having a buoyant bottom provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, a casing for each body provided with guiding means, a plurality of levers engaging said upper fiotative body, a weight bearing on said levers and engaging said guiding means, la plurality of similar levers associated with the lower flotative body, and a similar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body, said weight en- Y gaging the guiding means in its casing.

20. A valve mechanism provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one y on either side of said vent, means limiting theinovement of said bodies with respect to said vent, and means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent. n

21. A. valve mechanism provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent and lever mechanism engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent.

2Q. A valve mechanism provided with a vent, two fiotative bodies one on either sidey of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, means engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical means associated with the other flotative' body but held out of Aengagement therewith.

23. A valve mechanism provided with a vent, two lotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, lever mechanism engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, and identical leve` mechanism associated with the other lotative body but held out of engagement therewith. f'

2.4. A valve mechanism provided with a vent, two flotative bodies one on either side of said vent, means limitingV the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, a lever mechanism engaging and holdingthe upper body away from said vent, a weight bearing on said lever mechanism, and identical lever mechanism associated with the other tlotative body but held out of engagement therewith.

25. A valve Vmechanism provided with a vent, two flotative bodies One on either side of said vent, means limiting the movement of said bodies with respect to said vent, a

plurality 'of levers engaging and holding the upper body away from said vent, a weight bearing on said levers, similar lever mechanism associated with the other otative body, and asimilar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body.

26. A valve mechanism provided with a vent, two liotative bodies one on either side of said vent, a casing for each body provided with guiding means, a' plurality of levers engaging the upper liotative body, a weight bearing on said levers and engaging said guiding means, a plurality of similar levers associated with the lower iiot'ative body, and a similar weight holding said levers out of engagement with said body, said weight engaging the guiding means in its casing.

In testimony whereof I have'signed this speciicaticn in the'presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

s ALBERT THOMPSON.

llitnesses:

R. L. VEAVER, M. E. HAMER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D: C. 

